Saturday, January 10, 2015

Veg Biryani in Pressure Cooker | Basic Biryani Recipe

Today, Iam sharing a basic Biryani recipe which I have learnt from Mallika Badrinath's Cookbook and I have been doing this style of simple and flavourful Biryani for a long time now. Unlike the traditional Biryanis which are made in Dum setup, this a an easier version which can be prepared effortlessly using a Pressure cooker. But, nevertheless, it is one of the best one-pot meal which can be served with any Raita or a gravy. I have reduced the Biryani masala this time as asked by my DH and kids and hence there is a difference in the colour. But, in the below recipe, I have shared the correct measurement. This goes to the Blogging Marathon Week2, Day1 and this week, Iam to share Different Biryani recipes.

Preparation time - 10mins

Cooking time - 20mins

Serves - 4

Ingredients:

Basmati rice - 1 cup

Ghee or Oil - 2 tbsp

Garlic pod - 1, finely cut (optional)

Onion - 1, finely sliced

Potato - 1, diced

Carrot - 1, diced

Beans - 10, julienned

Cauliflower - few florets

Turmeric powder - 1tsp

Biryani Masala - 1-2tblsp

Curd - 1cup, beaten

Water - 1/2cup

Fresh lemon juice -1 tbsp (Optional)

Mint / Pudhina - 3tblsp

Coriander leaves - 3tblsp

Salt - As neededTo saute and grind into a paste:-Onion -1, roughly chopped

Ginger - 3/4" piece

Green chilli - 4-5

Cinnamon - 1/2" stick

Cloves - 2

Cardamom pods - 2

Cashew - 1tblsp

Method:-1. Soak Basmati rice in lukewarm water for 10-15mins and set aside.2. Heat 1tsp oil in a pan, add onion, green chilli, ginger, garlic and coconut and saute for 3-4mins until it turns aromatic. No need to roast till golden brown. Allow it to cool and with just enough water, grind it into a fine paste.

3. Drain the Basmati rice. In a tsp of oil or ghee, saute for 2-3mins until all the water evaporates.

5. Add the cut veggies and saute for 2-3mins. Now, add the ground paste, turmeric powder, Biryani masala and salt for continue to saute until the raw smell goes.

6. Add 1cup curd and 1/2cup water (make sure for 1 cup rice, curd+water should be 1.5cups only, not more than that), check for salt and spices and adjust now.

7. To this, add the rice and mint leaves and bring it to boil.

8. Once it starts to boil, close with the cooker lid, put on the weight and completely lower the flame to SIM. Let it cook for 8mins. You will not hear the whistle sound as the flame is on SIM. Switch off at 8mins. Let the Pressure come down in 15mins. 9. Open the lid, add coriander leaves and lemon juice and gently mix.

Soups and stews are among the easiest recipes to make in a pressure cooker. Start by sautéing the vegetables and perhaps browning the meats, add liquid and seasonings and bring to pressure. Pretty simple.MelissaBarajas